Start Your Own Gift Basket Service : Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success

by ENTREPRENEUR PRESS

• ISBN13: 9781891984884
• ISBN10: 1891984888
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-12-01
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

Turn your creative talents into a great business!Finding the perfect gift for that special someone or occasion can be a daunting task. Factor in drive time, budgets and multiply recipients and its nearly impossible. That's why many corporate customers and individuals have turned to gift baskets as the ideal solution. If you're creative, have a good eye for color and love to shop, this hot business could be your path to financial independence. Startup is easy: You only need a minimum amount of equipment, and you can work from your home, full or part time. Plus, you get the opportunity to be artistic, creative and entrepreneurial! This guide tells you everything you need to know to start a successful gift basket business. Identify a target market Develop an effective marketing plan Find and build relationships with suppliers Manage the administrative side of the business, include record-keeping, billing, taxes and insurance Find customers, and market your businessWithEntrepreneurmagazine'sStart Your Own Gift Basket Service, you'll learn how to design the business the way you want it, whether it's part time or full time, homebased or in a commercial location, with employees or without. Pick up this book, and get started making your dream a reality.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
More than One Basket: A Look at the Gift Basket Business	p. 1
It's All in the Presentation	p. 3
From Amateur to Pro	p. 4
What Do You Need to Get Started?	p. 5
Start-Up Stories	p. 5
Operations: It's Not Brain Surgery, but It Takes Some Skill	p. 7
Marketing	p. 8
General Management and Administration	p. 8
Production	p. 9
Taking Orders	p. 9
Purchasing	p. 9
Billing	p. 11
The Outsourcing Resource	p. 11
You'll Design More than Baskets	p. 12
Defining Your Market	p. 15
Market Research	p. 16
Individual Buyers	p. 16
Business Customers	p. 17
Choosing a Niche	p. 17
Developing a Product Line	p. 18
Types of Baskets	p. 20
Know Thy Enemy	p. 21
Are You on a Mission?	p. 22
Structuring Your Business	p. 25
Naming Your Company	p. 26
Trademarks	p. 27
Protect Your Mark	p. 28
Legal Structure	p. 28
Licenses and Permits	p. 30
Business Insurance	p. 32
Professional Services	p. 33
Create Your Own Advisory Board	p. 35
Shipping and Receiving	p. 36
Finances: Keep the Cash Flowing	p. 39
Sources of Start-Up Funds	p. 40
How Much Do You Need?	p. 41
Turning Pro	p. 41
Where Will You Start? Locating and Setting Up Your Business	p. 49
Going Retail	p. 50
Additional Retail Options	p. 55
Playing and Working Fair	p. 56
The Home Advantage	p. 57
Mail Order	p. 58
Your Primary Sales Tool	p. 58
The All-Important Mailing List	p. 59
Packing and Shipping Tips	p. 60
Nonretail Commercial	p. 60
Consignment Sales	p. 60
Displaying Merchandise	p. 61
Getting Ready to Work	p. 62
Should You Buy an Existing Operation?	p. 63
Business Opportunity or Franchise	p. 64
What Is a Franchise?	p. 64
What Is a Business Opportunity?	p. 66
Human Resources: The People Side of Your Company	p. 67
Look in the Right Places	p. 70
Evaluating Applicants	p. 70
Once They're on Board	p. 71
Employee Benefits	p. 73
Equipping Your Business	p. 75
Basic Office Equipment	p. 76
Telecommunications	p. 79
Other Equipment	p. 80
Basket-Related Equipment	p. 81
Inventory	p. 84
Inventory Control	p. 88
Basic Stock	p. 88
Lead Times	p. 89
Excess Inventory	p. 89
Tracking Inventory	p. 89
Vehicles	p. 90
Security	p. 90
Marketing Your Business	p. 91
Make Customer Service a Marketing Tool	p. 92
Get Lost	p. 92
Give Baskets Away	p. 93
Reward Referrals	p. 93
Cold Call	p. 94
Market to Basket Recipients	p. 95
Make Yourself Visible	p. 96
Target Lesser-Known Holidays	p. 96
Advertising	p. 97
Trade Shows	p. 97
Selling in Cyberspace	p. 100
Public Relations and Promotions	p. 101
Financial Management	p. 103
Billing	p. 104
Setting Credit Policies	p. 105
Red Flags	p. 106
Accepting Credit and Debit Cards	p. 107
Dealing with Your Own Creditors	p. 108
Tales from the Trenches	p. 111
Take Yourself and Your Business Seriously	p. 112
Give Yourself a Boost When You Need It	p. 112
Keep Learning	p. 112
Be Accessible	p. 113
Take Their Breath Away	p. 113
Market Your Business Constantly	p. 114
Don't Market by Price	p. 114
Stay Focused and Organized	p. 114
Enhance Your Gift Basket Service with Extras	p. 114
Guarantee Your Work	p. 114
Get Feedback	p. 114
Establish and Maintain Flawless Credit	p. 114
Trade and Barter Whenever Possible	p. 115
Play by the Rules	p. 115
Gift Basket Resources	p. 117
Glossary	p. 121
Index	p. 123
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